The new visa rules were announced on April 18, 2022, and will be active as of September this year. H. H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the law on entry and residence of Foreigners with the aim of strengthening the UAE’s position as an ideal destination to live, work and invest.

Following are the key factors that are to be implemented to facilitate the residency of family members in the country.

- The new model will now, in some cases, allow people who enter as visitors to stay for 60 days rather than 30 days at present.

- Parents can sponsor their male children until the age of 25 allowing them to remain in the UAE after school and university, with no age limit for unmarried daughters.

- The new system will have a new generation of residencies in the country that will provide five years of residency for skilled employees, without a sponsor or employer.

- Children of determination are entitled to a residence permit regardless of their age.

- Green Residency holders can bring their first-degree relatives.

- Significant amendments have been introduced to the Golden Residence Scheme to simplify the eligibility criteria and expand the categories of beneficiaries there will be no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the Golden Residence valid.

- The Golden Residence holders can now sponsor their family members, including spouses and children, regardless of their age, and further sponsor support services without limiting their number, and in case the holder of the Golden Residence dies, then the family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

- Golden residency visa for Scientists - Scientists with high achievements as well as influence in their field which are based on recommendations from the Emirates Scientists Council. The person should have a PhD or master’s degree in the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences, and natural sciences from the best universities in the world along with substantial research achievements.

- Golden residency visa for professionals - Professionals who have a valid employment contract in the UAE and are classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification which is an affiliate with the International Standard of Classification of Occupations ISCO by the International Labour Organisation. The person should have a minimum educational qualification must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the monthly salary should not be less than 30,000 Dhiram.

- Golden residency visa to top talents -  People who have extraordinary talent in culture, art, sports, digital technology, and invention are granted a golden residency visa regardless of their educational qualification or employment status or the monthly salary, or professional level.

- Golden residency for entrepreneurs - An entrepreneur owning or being a partner in a start-up that is registered in the category of small and medium enterprises SME and generates annual revenues of not less than Dh1 million can be granted a golden residency visa. 

If the person is a founder of one of the founders of a previous entrepreneurial project that was sold with a total value of not less than Dh7 million, he will be entitled to the golden residence after the approval of the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is required for projects or ideas.

- Golden visa for outstanding students and graduates - Students in UAE secondary schools, outstanding graduates from UAE universities, and the best 100 universities worldwide according to specific criteria that include their academic performance (cumulative average), the year of graduation, and the university classification can be entitled golden residency visa.

These new rules not only support sustainable development and the economic diversity policy in the country but also attract skilled workers, talents, professionals, specialists, and experts to attract investors, entrepreneurs, high skilled workers, outstanding students, front liners and others.

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